Duplicating machine



June 25, 1935. CHESLEY DUPLIGATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1933 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS llllllllll l1;

Patented June 25, 1935 UNITED STATES 2,006,067 DUPLICATING MACHINE Frank Chesley, Cincinnati, Ohio Application December 2, 1933, Serial No. 700,693

7 Claims.

This invention relates to duplicating machines and is particularlydirected to a machine of the character disclosed. in the patent to Frank Chesley, No. 1,835,931, granted December 8, 1931. In

5 this patent a duplicating machine is disclosed in which a minimum sized conveniently applied printing blanket or flexible sheet is used, the

printing blanket being drawn tautly across the surface of the platen by tensioning devices which 10 hold the blanket flat on the platen.

It is the object of the present invention to improve the machine disclosed in the aforesaid patent by the provision of a device for supporting'the machine angularly or inclined relative to 15 the table or supporting surface, whereby it is more convenient for theoperator to apply the sheets to be printed thereon since the printing surface is tipped toward the operator. v

It is a further object of this invention to provide a rack for the roll device used in applying the sheets of paper during the printing operation, which rack conveniently receives the roll device and is of particular utility in connection with I the machine as supported in tipped or inclined 25 position.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a paper aligning device through the medium of which the operator can quickly apply the paper on the printing blanket in correct position without difficulty and by the arrangement and construction of which it is possible to conveniently and quickly remove the sheets after printing.

Other objects and further advantages will be more fully apparent from a description of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved duplicating machine, showing it set up ready for use and showing the printing roll mounted in its supporting rack or bracket. Figure 2 is a perspective view looking at the under side of the machine and showing the supporting rack thereof in position out of use in full lines and-showing the position of use in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3, Figure 2. l

The machine incorporating the present improvements described in general comprises a table 6 having a platen I on its surface, tensioning devices 8, 8, one mounted at each end of the table, and a printing blanket 9 disposed over the surface of the platen and. secured at its respective ends in the attaching devices for drawing the sheet tautly over the platen.

Referring specifically to the details of the drawing, the table 6 provides a leg I at can corner thereof, a rubber button or cushion ll being secured to the under side of each leg for V preventing contact of the metal of the table with the surface upon which the device is placed. The table presents a smooth top upon which a layer of felt, constituting the platen l", is secured. Each tensioning device comprises a bar l3 hav- I ing upwardly extending hooks l4 formed in- 10 te'grally therewith at each end, these hooks being outwardly disposed relative to the table.

The bar I3 is mounted transversely across the end of the table, well down below the surface thereof, by means of studs l5, one secured in each end of the bar, these studs extendingthrough the end wall of the table and having threaded ends upon each of which a nut l6 and washer I! are secured. A tapered coil compression spring 18, surrounding each stud, is disposed between the bar and the wall of the table. The bores l9 through which the studs extend are of greater diameter than the studs, permitting rocking or canting of the studs relative thereto. This rocking takes place between the nuts and the washers and is a vertical movement permitting the hooks to be pressed inwardly against spring pressure.

The printing blanket 9 is a standardized product embodying a layer of gelatin treated with glycerine disposed on a fabric backing. A hem 20 is provided at each end of the blanket being formed by overlapping the fabric and stitching the same. A rod 2i is inserted in each hem, these rods or spindles extending from the ends of the hems as at 22.

The hooks of the tensioning devices are sufiicien tly spaced apart to permit the width of the blanket andlength of hem to be disposed therebetween and the spindles or rods to engage the hooks. The blanket is placed in position by hooking the spindles at one end thereof in the respective hooks, drawing the blanket tautly across the surface of the platen and forcing the tensioning device at the opposite end of the machine inwardly, tipping the hooks with the thumb of each hand, while the forefinger of each hand engages the spindles and forces them over the hook edges.

The spindles are spaced apart a suitable (115- tance for causing a slight tipping of the tensioning devices when the blanket is in position, this placing the blanket under spring tension at all times, whereby it is-tautly engaged over the surface of the platen, the position of the hooks below the surface of the table aiding in the proper disposition of the blanket on the platen.

In accordance with the present invention, a guide 23 is provided for facilitating application of the sheets to be printed to the printing blanket. This guide is formed from a strip of angle iron and is fastened to the top of the table along the side edge of the platen by means of screws 2d. The guide extends substantially the length of the table and its upstanding flange 25 provides a side abutment against which the paper can be placed laterally. This upstanding flange is cut away as at 26 at the lower end of the guide or at the end nearest the operator, and the attaching flange is turned up at its end to provide a lower edge abutment 27: against which the lower edge of the sheet may be placed.

The attaching flange is also cut away adjacent the side flange as at 28 to provide a clearance wherein the operator can insert the finger or fingernail for lifting the sheet.

. Through the medium of this guide strip, both a sidestep and a bottom stop are incorporated. The operator can quickly and conveniently place the sheets accurately in position by engaging the side edge of the sheet against the side abutment and the lower edge against the loweredge abut ment and therefore drop the sheet into position on the platen.

An adjustable stand or tilting device 29 is incorporated in the machine which can be readily thrown from folded position of non-use against the under side of the machine to a position of use. Withoutthe present device the machine rests horizontally on the supporting surface. With the machine in this position it is difficult however and inconvenient for the operator to apply the sheets to be printed, particularly when the operator is seated at a table. To overcome this and to make the machine much less awkward to use, the stand 29 has been incorporated which materially raises the outer end of the machine or the end farthest away from the operator, and places the platen and printing blanket more uniformly closer to the operator. This stand or adjustable supporting device consists of a rod bent to U-shape having outwardly turned pivot portions 3i! supported in lugs M depending from the under side of the body of the machine.

The cross piece 32 of the U-shaped element has rubber sleeves 33 fixed thereon toward the legs thereof for a non-slip contact with the table on which the machine is supported. A clip 34 is fixed to the under side of the machine centrally thereof and includes a spring metal extension having a depression for receiving the cross piece of the bracket or stand and an outwardly flared end. The bracket engaging the outwardly flared end cams the clip and forces it back permitting the rack to slip into the depressed portion thereof.

This clip then holds the bracket in dismounted position against the under side of the machine. When it is desirable to use the supporting stand or bracket it is swung rearwardly and its legs engage the back wall or flange 35 of the body of the machine as shown in Figure 1. With the machine in this inclined position, it is much easier to operate the machine and a greater production is assured.

As adjunct to the machine, a roller tool 35 is provided. This tool includes a rubber roll 37 substantially the same in length as the blanket is in width. The operating handle for the roller consists of a U-shaped clip 38 with a gripping member 39 extending medially and laterally from the clip. This'roll is worked up and down the sheets of paper as they are applied to the printing blanket and if left on the blanket will roll oif the end thereof.

A receptacle or trough til for holding the roll device is provided at the lower end of the machine. This trough is in the nature of a channel element disposed crosswise at the lower end of the table of the machine, its attaching flange 4| lying against the inner side of the cross bar of one of the tensioning devices. The studs of the ten sioning devices traverse slots -12 in the attaching flange and the springs l8 therefor engage between this flange and the body of the machine for holding the attaching flange rigidly against the cross bar.

The outer upstanding flange 43 of the trough is of sufficient height to block and divert the roll device into position in the trough as it is brought off the lower end of the printing blanket following the printing of a sheet.

More specifically, in operation the drawing or printing to be copied is drawn upon an original using the proper ink or writing instrumentality which will be readily transferable to the surface of the blanket. This original is placed with the inscribed face down upon the blanket. The rolldevice is moved up and down over the sheet causing adherence to the blanket. The original is then stripped from the blanket and the writing or drawing has been transferred to the gelatin surface. Thereupon sheets are successively placed against the surface of the printing sheet and accurately located by using the guide. The roll device is used for rolling each printing and is dropped conveniently into the tray as it is brought off the lower end of the printing blanket.

Inasmuch as it will require a considerable number of hours for the data on the printing blanket to penetrate the layer of compound, the blanket may be removed and replaced by a fresh blanket. Successive blankets may be used and in the end the first used blankets will be reconditioned by the absorption of the printing into the layer.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a duplicating machine, a table, a printing element mounted on said table, an adjustable stand for said table pivoted at the rear end thereof, said table including a downwardly extending flange at its rear end, and said stand engaging said fiange for limiting rearward swinging movement of the stand, whereby the stand supports the rear end of the machine in elevated position.

2. In a duplicating machine, a table having a printing surface, a swinging stand for said table pivoted at one end thereof, an abutment for said stand for limiting outward swinging movement thereof and disposing the stand in support position, whereby the stand elevates the end of the machine, and means for securing the stand against the under side of the table.

3. In a duplicating machine, a body incorporating a printing table and depending side flanges and legs, and a U-shaped stand element having lateral end extensions pivotally mounted in the sides of the table from the inner side thereof, said stand adapted to engage the rear flange of the table for limiting rearward swinging movement of the stand and supporting the table in inclined position.

l. In a duplicating machine, a body incorporating a printing table, a stand element for supporting the table in inclined position, a roller device, and a supporting trough for said roller device mounted on the body below the forward end of the table and disposed crosswise for receiving the roller device as it is brought off the surface of the printing table.

5. In a duplicating machine, a frame incorporating a printing table, a channel shaped receptacle secured to the table below the surface thereof and at one end, said receptacle disposed crosswise for receiving a roller device operating back and forth along the printing surface of the table. 7

6. In a duplicating machine, a frame incorporating a printing table, means for tilting said frame toward the operator, a channel shaped receptacle secured to the lower end of the table below'the surface thereof, said receptacle disposed crosswise for receiving an elongated roller device lengthwise thereof as it is moved from the printing surface of the table.

'7. In a duplicating machine, a frame incorporating a printing table, an angle iron guide strip secured along one side edge of the table and providing an upstanding side abutment flange lengthwise of the tab1e,rand an upstanding end abutment flange at one end of the table, said side flange cut away adjacent the last mentioned 

